THE EWF - EUROPEAN FEDERATION FOR WELDING, JOINING AND CUTTING

Promoting SME participation in the "Knowledge-based Multifunctional Materials" activity area of FP6

The PRO-KNOWLEDGE Project, co-financed by the 6th Framework Programme started in March 2004 aiming at stimulating the participation of SMEs active in the field of joining processes and surface treatment technologies in FP6 activity area. Thought a strong network of partners representatives of six European Countries and leaded by an European Association, the PRO-KNOWLEDGE aimed at covering the interests and needs of the industrial field related with technological/manufacturing areas and in creating opportunities for the SMEs to integrate EU funded projects.

In parallel, the PRO-KNOWLEDGE Project also aimed at contributing to break down the barriers between SMEs and RTD players by using analysis and audit methodologies based on earlier EC funded projects and national experience to assess SMEs needs and to increase their capability to adopt new technologies by participating in EU projects.

The following results were achieved:

			Total

	Company Visits		243

	Technology Audits		147

	Brokerage Events		2

	SMEs in IPs		49

	Co-operative Research Projects		20

	Collective Research Projects		6

	STREPs		7

	IPs		10

The PRO-KNOWLEDGE aimed at acting as promoter of SMEs competitiveness, by integrating these in EU funded projects, where their technological needs are analysed and solutions are developed for implementation.

All the contacts made within the Research and industrial fields shall be maintained after the PRO-KNOWLEDGE eligible period, aiming at identifying ideas to be developed under future FP projects. PRO-KNOWLEDGE partners strongly believe that this approach would extend PRO-KNOWLEDGE services, showing that EU support technology development and research till 2013 (see FP/) . Great opportunities to increase competitiveness of companies in EU are still to come and our role is to increase its awareness and to promote industrial participation.

For further information: www.PRO-KNOWLEDGE.net

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